Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds has met with farmers, growers and agri-food businesses to discuss the benefits of the new UK-EU food deal.

Northern Ireland already benefits from full EU market access, thanks to its unique position under the Windsor Framework. However, for the first time since the EU Exit, most food and drink goods moving from GB to NI will no longer require checks, including regulatory certificates that can cost between £80 and £200 each, which will reportedly save businesses millions every year. Over the last three years, these charges for Export Health Certificates have cost businesses between £13 million and £32 million.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that by cutting what it called “paperwork tax”, a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement would make trade easier for businesses, help British produce reach European markets and could help bring down the cost of food and drink.

The new SPS agreement is part of rebuilding the UK’s relationship with Europe with the aim of strengthening the economy and supporting trade, with the potential to boost UK GDP by up to £5.1 billion a year.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds commented: “We are cutting red tape and scrapping unnecessary checks, making it easier and cheaper to keep goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“Northern Ireland’s food and drink businesses deserve a better deal. That means protecting the UK internal market, supporting businesses and giving families more choice, availability and value across Northern Ireland.”

At the Balmoral Show on Thursday 14th May, the Environment Secretary met with stallholders and sector representatives from across the farming and horticultural communities to discuss how they might benefit from the removal of certification requirements for plants, seeds and used agricultural and forestry machinery.

Northern Ireland Office Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Minister Matthew Patrick also met with farming community representatives and businesses at the Balmoral Show. He stated: “Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector is of great importance to the UK economy and to our food security, and I’ve been hugely impressed by the high-quality produce on offer at the Balmoral Show.

“It’s great that this deal will provide real benefits for consumers, helping to ensure availability and cut costs at a time when many are facing cost of living pressures.”

The Environment Secretary and Borders Minister Baroness Hayman chaired a roundtable discussion with members of the Confederation of British Industry, aiming to ensure that Northern Ireland businesses are represented in a deal that will look to cut paperwork, support choice and availability on supermarket shelves and help ease food price inflation for families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Eddie Murphy, country director for M&S Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “We have over 20 stores and work with nearly 2,000 Select Farm partners in Northern Ireland.

“This deal will remove unnecessary bureaucracy and reduce cost pressures, helping us to go further in offering Northern Irish customers the very best of M&S by speeding up the flow of goods and access to fresh produce.”

The visit comes as the European Partnership Bill was announced at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 13th May, kickstarting the legislative framework needed to implement the agreement and allow businesses to start “realising its benefits” from mid-2027.